Stories Connect Us
There’s a lesson in being present; some moments aren’t meant to be captured. Just simply lived.
In a few hours, I’ll gather with my family and read from the Haggadah, a book that tells the story of Passover. I can still hear my Grandpa Herman and the cadence of his baritone voice echoing as he led the Seder. My grandparents’ passion for tradition and their love for family will forever fuel how I live. Passover is about liberation, which is also why my grandparents’ story–their exodus from Poland to the United States– resurrects intense emotions for me. I think about those that came before them. And those who will come after and in the future.
I love that Passover begins during Easter weekend as a full moon illuminates the sky. Three sacred, soulful intersections of spirituality. Three evocative, reflective days.
Manischewitz wine and boxes of matzah rest nearby as I write this message. I am thankful for an especially connective week. As I wrote about last Saturday, when my podcast with author Robert Gwaltney vanished into cyberspace, part of me wanted to let it go. There’s a lesson in being present; some moments aren’t meant to be captured. Just simply lived.
Yet I just could not do so. Why? I wanted you to hear Robert’s wisdom, clarity, and pure spirit, too. So we popped on Instagram LIVE Saturday afternoon. We sipped steamy dark roast coffee from our respective mugs. And we chatted again. (Please keep scrolling because you won’t believe what happened!)
Robert shared about his publishing journey, losing his sister at a young age, growing up as one of “four feral boys” in a small Georgia town, and balancing his writing life with a full-time job at Easter Seals of Atlanta. We also discussed Robert’s stunning debut novel, The Cicada Tree.
This was our second conversation in three days. And the first ever Saturday morning EVERY SOUL HAS A STORY LIVE. We didn’t plan to chat twice. But the Universe had other plans. A gracious, generous soul, Robert pivoted with me. Our conversation included laughter when my phone fell mid-recording! We decided our collective energy must just be that ebullient.
I hope you are also inspired by Robert’s heartfelt, honest sharing about a life well lived. You can listen by clicking on the lavender button below! . Or visit DARALEVAN.COM, iTunes, and Spotify.
A special thank you to Darcey Gohring and Mom’s Don’t Have Time To Write for featuring me in this week’s Online Writing Community. Speaking of connection, Darcey has fostered an inspiring, kind group of fellow writers. I am grateful to be this week’s guest. I spoke about my article, “I Needed to Get Back to Caring For Myself, But First I Needed to Get Out of My Pajamas.” Our discussion dove into the depths of self care, self worth, and more.
You can read it here => https://medium.com/moms-dont-have-time-to-write/i-needed-to-get-back-to-caring-for-myself-but-first-i-needed-to-get-out-of-my-pajamas-8226d64b9b1